Brace rod securing means for scaffold frames or the like



Z. J. JAGIEL ,Nov. 26, 1957 BRAC'E] ROD SECURING MEANS FOR SCAFFOLD FRAMES OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 8, 1955 INVENTOR. 519771000 .J dQg/e/ BY 2 $2 I A RNE Y5 Unite 2,814,535 BRACE ROD SECURING MEANS FOR- SCAFFOLD FRAMES on THE LIKE This invention relates particularly but not necessarily to scaffold structures of the separable frame type wherein spaced frames are tied together by cross brace rods that are releasably attached at their ends to upright members of the frames.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved means for securing brace rods to the frame post studs of scaffold structures or the like, which permits easy and quick engagement of the rods with the studs as well as separation thereof whereby to simplify structures of this character and enhance the practicability and commercial value thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a post and projecting brace rod engaging-stud together with means embodying the invention and shown in locking engagement with the brace rods;

Fig. 2 is a similar view looking endwise at the brace rod engaging-stud;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 33 in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is an exploded view in perspective showing separate parts of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates an end post or upright member of frame sections commonly used in knockdown scaffold structures and 2, 2 a pair of brace rods used for connecting and bracing opposed sections of such a structure. Each of these rods commonly has flattened ends 3 with apertures therein for receiving studs 5 projecting from the connected posts 1 of spaced frame sections whereby to releasably brace the sections, as well understood in the art. Inasmuch as the invention resides in means for releasably securing the brace rod ends on the post studs, it is not considered necessary to show the frame sections, a number of pairs of which are used in a scaffold structure.

The means comprising the present invention includes a sleeve 6 mounted on a post 1 above its stud 5 for free sliding movements lengthwise thereof. This sleeve, in the present instance, is of separable section form and consists of two opposing substantially half round sections 7 and 8 for fitting against opposite sides of the post, one having at one end an apertured radial or outturned lip 9 and the other at its corresponding end an outwardly angled tongue 10 for interlocking slip connection with the apertured lip to releasably hold the two ends together. The opposite ends of the two sleeve sections are turned outward substantially radial to the sleeve axis and bear sidewise against each other to combine to form a radial finger 11. The outer end of this finger is preferably vertically enlarged as shown at 12, and provided transversely therethrough with an aperture 13 for receiving a fastening means which, in the present instance, is shown as a cotterpin 14 which serves to hold the two sleeve sections in assembled relation. The finger 11 is preferably narrowed vertically with respect to the length of the sleeve 6 by narrowing the sleeve or body portions of the two sections 2 adjacent to their finger ends as at 15 and projecting the finger forming parts from these narrowed portions. .This narrowing preferably takes place at the underside of the sleeve sections so that the finger parts project from the upper portions ofsuchsections. i I p 4 v A locking pawl 16 is suspended freely from the finger 11 and has its lower or pendent end vertically notched at 17 to adapt it to straddle the post stud ,5 at the outer side of one or more brace rod ends mounted thereon, thus preventingremoval of the rod ends from the stud. This pawl is of L-form with its long leg pendent and provided at its upper or inner end with aslot 18 for loosely receiving the finger 11, and has its short arm resting substantially flatwise on the top of the finger. The slot preferably extends at its upper end a short distance into the short arm so that the upper end wall of the slot forms a fulcrum or suspension point for the pawl that is slightly offset inwardly from its major plane whereby when the pawl is suspended freely from the finger, its tendency is to swing inwardly slightly from a vertical position.

The cotter-pin 14 and short arm of the pawl, which rests on the sleeve finger 11, cooperate to limit the outward swinging movements of the pawl and to maintain it within the length of the finger, as shown in Fig. l. The pawl, therefore, is not permitted to swing outwardly a sufiicient extent to enable removal of the brace rod ends therefrom. In the present instance the upper or inner end portion of the vertical or long arm of the pawl in which the vertical portion of the slot 18 is disposed is inclined outwardly and downwardly from the short arm, and it is this inclined portion that bears against the cotterpin. The free end of the short arm of the pawl is intended to bear against the post side and space the long or pendent arm a predetermined distance outwardly from the post when in straddling engagement with the stud 5.

In practice the sleeve 6 and suspended pawl are raised on the post a distance above the stud 5 and then, after the apertured end or ends of one or more brace rods have been engaged with the stud, the sleeve is lowered to permit the forked or notched pawl end to straddle the stud at the outer side of the rods and thus lock the rods against removal from the stud until the sleeve and pawl have again been raised.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without departing from the spirit of the claims.

I claim:

1. Means for securing an apertured end of a brace rod on a stud projecting laterally, from a post, said means comprising a sleeve surrounding the post and mounted for lengthwise sliding movements on the post and having a radially projecting finger thereon, a separate locking pawl suspended from said finger and having its lower end vertically notched whereby when lowered with the sleeve on the post it will straddle the stud at the outer side of the engaged brace rod and lock the rods against removal from the stud until the sleeve and pawl have been raised on the post from locking position, said pawl being L-shaped and having an opening in its angle portion for loosely receiving said finger with its short arm portion projecting toward the post and serving to space the pendent portion therefrom, and means holding the pawl on the sleeve finger.

2. Means for securing an apertured end of a brace rod on a stud projecting laterally from a post, said means comprising a sleeve embracing the post and mounted for lengthwise sliding movements on the post and having a radially projecting finger thereon, a separate locking pawl suspended from said finger and having its lower end vertically notched whereby when lowered with the sleeve on the post it will straddle the stud at the outer side of the Patent d Nov. 26, 195.7;

engaged brace rod and lock the rods against removal from the stud until the sleeve and pawl have been raised on the post from locking position, said sleeve comprising two sections releasably, clamped together at their ends around the post, and means holding the pawl on the sleeve fin e1.

Means for securing an apertured end of a brace rod on a stud projecting laterally from a post, said means comprising a ,sleeve surrounding the post and being mounted for lengthwise sliding movements on the post and having a radially projectingfinger, a separate locking pawl suspended from said finger and having in its upper ends. cutout portion complementary to the surface of the post and having its lower end vertically notched whereby when, lowered with the sleeve on the post it will straddle the stud at the outer side of the engaged brace rod and References Cited in the file of this patent t UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,058,608 Lightly Apr. 8, 1913 1,790,765 Prove; -4 Feb. 3, 1931 2,716,576 Nordone Aug. 30, 1955 2,726,902 Borgman et a1 Dec. 13, 1955 

